The Alien Within

Chapter 14: Unexpected Allies

The tension that had been simmering between James and Adrian was impossible to ignore.

After their on-field clash, everyone—teachers, students, and even the janitor who never got involved in school drama—could sense the unease. But despite everything, the upcoming match against Northside Academy loomed large, and neither James nor Adrian could afford to let their personal issues get in the way.

It was Ms. Caldwell who finally stepped in to clear the air, though her primary concern wasn't just the game.

The love triangle had her pacing in the teachers' lounge and consuming enough tea to keep the local grocer in business for a month. And it wasn't just about the boys vying for Tessa's attention.

She had bigger things to worry about, like Mr. Rudbick's growing obsession and the delicate secret Adrian was hiding.

But before she could address Adrian, the match was just days away, and something had to be done.

---

On the day of the match, Ms. Caldwell gathered both boys in her office—a rare occurrence considering she was more of a calm, hands-off kind of teacher when it came to conflict.

The walls were adorned with charts and notes from the quiz competition, and a photo of Tessa holding her "Child Prodigy" award stood proudly on her desk.

"Look," she began, eyeing both boys with an air of authority that made them both sit up a little straighter.

"This nonsense between the two of you has to stop. You're on the same team, for goodness' sake! I don't care what's happening off the field, but on it, you two need to work together."

James crossed his arms, looking at Adrian with his signature squint of suspicion. "Fine, but I'm not going to pretend like everything's okay."

Adrian, leaning against the wall with his usual air of coolness, smirked. "Yeah, because nothing says 'mature' like holding a grudge."

Ms. Caldwell shot them both a glare. "This isn't about maturity. This is about winning. And if you two keep acting like children, you'll hand Northside the victory on a silver platter."

James sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I get it. I just—"

Ms. Caldwell cut him off with a raised hand. "No excuses. I need you both to shake hands and promise me you'll cooperate during the match."

Adrian raised an eyebrow, clearly not thrilled at the idea, but extended his hand nonetheless. James hesitated for a moment, his gaze flickering to Tessa's smiling photo on the desk before reluctantly reaching out to grasp Adrian's hand.

"There. That wasn't so hard, was it?" Ms. Caldwell said with a relieved smile, as if she had just brokered peace in the Middle East. "Now, go out there and win that game. And no more nonsense."

---

The match day arrived, and as the players took to the field, the atmosphere was charged with excitement. Spectators lined the stands, eager to see the showdown between their school and Northside. James, wearing the captain's armband, glanced over at Adrian, who was stretching with the ease and fluidity that only someone with alien reflexes could manage.

"Remember what we talked about," James muttered under his breath as they jogged toward the center of the field.

Adrian smirked. "Yeah, yeah. Teamwork, right?"

The whistle blew, and the game was on. To everyone's surprise—including their own—James and Adrian worked together like a well-oiled machine. James' speed and skill in the attack, combined with Adrian's near-superhuman precision, made them an unstoppable duo.

Pass after pass, play after play, they tore through Northside's defense.

The crowd erupted with cheers as the goals piled up, and by halftime, the scoreboard read 3-0 in their favor. Even James, who had been harboring a healthy dose of jealousy, couldn't help but feel a grudging respect for Adrian's abilities.

But that didn't mean the jealousy had disappeared.

As the final whistle blew, signaling a crushing victory for their team, the players celebrated with high-fives and cheers. James glanced over at the sidelines where Tessa stood, clapping enthusiastically. For a brief moment, he felt a surge of pride, knowing that he and Adrian had managed to pull off the win together.

That feeling quickly soured when he saw Adrian jog over to Tessa, flashing her one of his too-perfect smiles. James gritted his teeth, muttering under his breath, "Show-off."

But as much as he hated to admit it, the cooperation had worked. For now, at least.

---

Meanwhile, on the sidelines, something far more sinister was brewing. Mr. Rudbick had been watching the match from a distance, his eyes glued to Adrian's every move. He'd seen the way the boy moved—too fast, too fluid, too precise. It was as if he knew exactly what was going to happen before it did. And that wasn't normal. No human could move like that, not without some kind of... advantage.

Mr. Rudbick's heart raced with excitement. He had thought Tessa was the only alien, but now, there was another. Adrian was just like her—he was certain of it. He could practically smell the alien energy radiating from him. Well, that and something else. Something... fiery.

As the players filed off the field, Mr. Rudbick's mind raced. He had to report this immediately. Not just to his superiors at the SSG but also to the authorities. This wasn't just a case of one alien infiltrating Earth—it was an invasion.

He hurriedly scribbled down notes in his worn-out notebook, his fingers trembling with excitement. Two aliens, he thought. Two. This will be the breakthrough I need.

But before he could get too far in his scheming, Ms. Caldwell intercepted him near the bleachers.

"What are you doing here, Rudbick?" she asked, her tone laced with suspicion.

Mr. Rudbick fumbled with his notebook, quickly stuffing it into his jacket pocket. "Just... watching the game. Nothing more."

Ms. Caldwell's eyes narrowed. She didn't believe him for a second. "You stay away from Tessa. And Adrian. They're under my protection now."

Mr. Rudbick forced a tight-lipped smile. "Of course, Ms. Caldwell. Of course."

But as he walked away, his mind was already racing with plans. He wasn't about to let this opportunity slip through his fingers.

---

Later that evening, Ms. Caldwell called Adrian into her office. The boy seemed calm, though there was a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes as he sat down across from her.

"You know why I called you here, don't you?" Ms. Caldwell said, her voice gentle but firm.

Adrian nodded slowly. "You're going to ask about... what I am."

Ms. Caldwell smiled. "You're perceptive. I've known for a while, Adrian. You're not the only one."

Adrian tensed slightly, his blue eyes flashing with an intensity that reminded her of fire. "Who else knows?"

"Mr. Rudbick, unfortunately," Ms. Caldwell replied. "He's obsessed with the idea of aliens living among us, and he's been watching both you and Tessa closely."

Adrian's jaw tightened. "And what are you going to do about it?"

Ms. Caldwell leaned forward, her expression softening. "I'm going to protect you. Both of you. As long as you're at this school, you're under my care. I won't let anything happen to either of you."

Adrian's eyes softened, and for the first time since he had arrived at the school, he felt a sense of relief. Ms. Caldwell wasn't just a teacher—she was someone he could trust.

But trust didn't come without complications, and the situation with James and Tessa was growing more tangled by the day.

---

The following week, in the cafeteria, things finally came to a head. James was sitting with Tessa, laughing and joking as usual, when Adrian strolled over with his tray of food, casually taking a seat beside them.

James shot him a look. "This seat's taken."

Adrian raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed. "I don't see anyone else sitting here."

Tessa, sensing the rising tension, quickly tried to defuse the situation. "Guys, can we not do this here? Please?"

But it was too late. The air between them crackled with unspoken competition. They had been allies on the field, but off it, the battle for Tessa's attention was still very much alive.

"Why don't you just admit it?" James said, his voice low but sharp. "You're only hanging around because of her."

Adrian leaned back in his chair, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "And you're not?"

Before James could respond, the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. Tessa, cheeks burning with a mix of frustration and embarrassment, quickly grabbed her bag and stood up.

"You two are impossible," she muttered as she stormed off.

Both boys watched her go, a mixture of admiration and guilt washing over them. But neither was willing to back down just yet. The rivalry wasn't over—it was just beginning. And somewhere in the shadows, Mr. Rudbick was waiting, ready to make his next move.